Linotype-machine.



PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906.

J. E. SAFFERY. LINOTYPB MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILBD 0GT.24,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A WORN? B m I WM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\ JOSEPH E. SAFFERY, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEWV YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MACHENE.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application e October 24, 1905. Serial No. 284.179.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Josnrn E. SAFFERY, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference more particu larly to linotype-machines of the character shown in United States Letters Patent No. 679,481 to J. R. Rogers, wherein circulating matrices are mounted on endless guides separated at one point in their length to effect the distribution of the matrices and brought together in parallel lines at another point to effeet the assemblage of the matrices which are advanced along the parallel portions of the guides to the casting-point. In these machines the assembled matrices suspended from their different guides are presented be tween a mold at the front and an alining-rib at the rear. The rib enters alining-notches in the rear edges of the matrices and they are subjected while in engagement to the pressure of an upwardly-acting slide which serves to lift them into firm engagement with the rib for the purpose of bringing the characters of the matrices into exact alinement.

In practice it has been found that from different causessuch as slight variation in the length of matrices, variations in. the location of their suspending guides, &c.-the aliningrib does not at all times freely enter the notches of the matrices. Occasionally when the matrices are lifted into alinement their upper ends will act upon and displace the overlying guides.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these evils; and it consists, broadly, in combining with the series of guides from. which the matrices are suspended means for lifting the same to a limited extent while the matrices are in the casting position and before they are finally alined against the rib.

Vith the exception of the feature above named the machine may be in all respects of ordinary construction. I have therefore limited the accompanying drawings to those parts of the machine with which the invention is immediately associated.

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear of a portion of the casting mechanism and the overlying frame to which the matrix guides are attached, together with my improved device. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same parts looking from the left side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism for lifting the guideframe.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent the series of inclined endless guides from which the matrices Y are suspended. These guide-wires are connected to uprights O, which are in turn connected to the top and bottom plates a, the whole constituting a rigid "top frame, so called, which is sustained upon the rigid base-frame F, which.

gives support also to the casting mechanism and other operative parts of the machine.

The base-frame gives support to the swinging mold P, the melting-pot S, which delivers molten metal into the mold, the fixed alininglate O, having the alining-rib 0 to enter the notches in the matrices, and the reciprocating alining-plate 0 which rises against the lower endof the composed line of matrices to force them upward, so that the alining-rib 0 will be in intimate contact with the lower edge of the notches W in the matrices.

The foregoing parts correspond to the parts bearing like letters in Patent No. 679,481.

In the original machine the bottom plates a of the top frame were secured rigidly to the base-frame, so that the distance between the guides A A and the fixed alining-rib 0 was constant and unchangeable. In my improved machine that portion of the top frame which overlies the casting mechanism is free to rise to a limited extent above its normal position that is to say, the position which it occupies during the assemblage of the matrices and the transfer of thelcomposed lines to the casting position. This vertical movement of the top frame may be provided for in any approprlate manner. I prefer to attach the lower portion of the top frame to the top of the baseframe, as shown in Fig. 1, by screws (1 at a point remote from the casting-point to the right and left. Dowel-pins a may be extended from the base-frame loosely upward through the top frame, as shown in the same figure, to assist in keeping the parts in their proper relations and prevent the top frame from springing laterally.

Any suitable means may be employed for lifting the top frame and its guides automatically immediately before or during the action of the aiming-slide 0. I prefer to use for the purpose an eccentric 0 seated in a grooved plate 0 secured to the under side of the top frame and embracing the plate 0 on top of the base-frame. As shown in Fig. l, the eccentric is provided at one end with an actuating-crank 0 connected by a link 0 to a crank-arm 0 on a rock-shaft 0 provided with a crank-arm 0, arranged in the path of a cam-surface 0 attached to one of the ordinary wheels of the machine.

Immediately before or during the rise of the alining-slide 0 the cam-surface 0 turns the eccentric 0 and causes it to lift the entire top frame and guides A A, the latter in turn lifting the series of matrices suspended therefrom. At the time of this action the aliningrib 0 is seated in the notches of the assembled matrices. As the guides ascendwith the upper ends of the matrices the latter are permitted to seat themselves freely against the under side of the rib 0, against which they are firmly pressed by the rising action of the slide 0. Subsequent to the casting operation the cam releases the crank 0 and the top frame is permitted to descend, so that the matrices may be moved freely along the rib 0 to the distributing-point without resistance. In order to insure the return of the parts to their normal positions, a spring 0 Fig. 1, may be connected with link 0 as shown, or with any other suitable moving member.

The essence of the invention resides in giving the series of guides from which the matrices are suspended a rising-and-falling movement in relatlon to the alinlng-rib.

therefrom, an aiming-surface to engage the matrices, automatic means for changing the distance between the guides and the aliningsurface and means for moving the matrices into forcible engagement with the rib.

3. In a linotype-machine the base-frame and the alining-rib and alining-slide thereon in combination with the top frame containing the matrix-guides, the pendent matrices adapted to engage the alining-rib, and means for raising the top framev 4. In combination, the base-frame with means to aline the matrices, the verticallymovable top frame with its matrix-guides, the matrices, the eccentric to raise the top frame and automatic means for actuating the eccentric.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 18th day of October, 1905, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOSEPH E. SAFFERY.

Witnesses:

J. R. ROGERS, D. S. KENNEDY. 

